Improving health services for young women through private drug shops

Effects of a prosocial intervention among sellers of HIV and reproductive health supplies on young women’s health

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10706507

This study is working to make it easier for young women in sub-Saharan Africa to get HIV tests and contraception by partnering with local drug shops, using a friendly loyalty program to encourage shopkeepers to offer these important health services.

Quick facts

Grant typeR03 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-10706507 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing access to HIV testing and contraception for adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa by leveraging private sector drug shops. The study aims to implement a loyalty program called Malkia Klabu, which encourages shopkeepers to provide these essential health services. By using strategies that motivate shopkeepers through customer feedback, the research seeks to ensure that young women can discreetly obtain reproductive health supplies. The approach is designed to address the barriers that prevent young women from accessing critical health services.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 living in sub-Saharan Africa who are at risk of unintended pregnancy and HIV.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 15-24 or those not residing in sub-Saharan Africa may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the availability and uptake of HIV prevention and reproductive health services for young women.

How similar studies have performed: Previous pilot studies, such as the Malkia Klabu intervention in Tanzania, have shown promising results in increasing access to health services for young women.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.